Unfortunately, if you came to this step, this means that all the above tips and steps have failed to help you remove the stock oil drain plug. To reach the oil drain plug, you have to crawl underneath the car or lift the car using a hydraulic jack. Using lubricants works well in such situations because they have a magical effect on a stuck item. Put some force with a hammer. Stripping the oil pan plug threads is a common problem with Hondas and this is a common solution. Trusted mechanics, rated by thousands of happy car owners Cities. Juice Weasel and Jimmyh like this. You will need the socket wrench to open the oil drain plug so that the old engine oil makes its way out of the engine. 34 years of experience. This includes the oil plug which can become stripped. … A stripped oil drain plug that can’t be replaced either due to it already being oversized or because the oil pan is made out of aluminum instead of steel. You can drill a new hole in the oil pan and install a new plug and seal. I recently purchased an 05 Volvo S80 for a whopping $700 CAD after I moved on from my first car, a Buick of the same year. Your email address will not be published. The dealer claims he did not strip it and it must have been a factory defect that they didn't notice when they put it away last fall. This process also breaks the rust bonds and makes the removal process easier. If you notice a leak coming from the plug, it’s never OK to ignore it. If it tightens to the proper torque you are ok. ... Only your local mechanic – one who’ll guarantee the results – can make that determination. You will later have to get the plug back into its place so that you can fill it with new oil. The molecules mix with the dirt in the engine coming from comb… Here are the four options to repair a stripped drain plug. I have been working as a mechanic for over fifteen years. Once the damaged plug is out, a rubber plug can serve as a temporary solution, but shouldn’t be relied on long term. Your email address will not be published. Fumoto F-106 Oil Drain Valve. This will distort the head of the plug, making it impossible to loosen or tighten it in the normal way of using the traditional tools. 2002 VW Golf TDI , how I repaired stripped engine oil pan drain plug which was leaking engine oil Mechanic tips: Crush washers . There are four common plug sizes which include, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 inch. Do not grief. Very easy way to fix a leaking drain plug due to stripped thread is to screw a tapered bolt in with the smallest diameter being the same as the original and similar thread. Actually, it looks to me like it was previously stripped, drilled out to a larger diameter, tapped, and a threaded oil pan plug adapter installed. Here is your guide on how to remove a stuck oil drain plug. One of these ways is by using Irwin Tools BOLT-GRIP Extractor. After you have located the engine oil pan, some rust removal spray. Kevin Gainer. Failing Oil Pressure Sensor? Your options for repair depend on the severity of the damage. Expanding rubber oil drain plug. Also, coolant light flashed red when started this morning. I would show them your oil change records and make sure they understand that THEY were the last to tighten the plug. report. A stripped oil drain plug can lead to major engine failure, so take a moment to learn about the best practices for avoiding it and what your options are for repair if it’s too late. IF THIS VIDEO HELPED YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE, CLICK HERE TO DONATE SO I CAN CONTINUE TO SHARE VIDEOS. Wtf is this? How to Tell If You Have Variable Assist Power Steering. Largest I have is a twelve/twenty. ... Streaks of oil underneath your vehicle that are right behind your oil pan. The other tip is to use a hammer and try to tap on the oil drain plug. Beware not to damage the oil drain plug or its teeth. the oil pan is a 1.8 hour job to to and is very visual on the bolts to remove to drop the pan. Ignoring a leaking oil pan it can lead to you paying thousands for a new engine, or even having a repair that may cost more than your entire car. Thank Kevin. I went to get the motor oil changed through a groupon deal a couple months ago. engine oil, oil change, oil pan, thread repair. hide. Options to repair a stripped oil drain plug. The gator grip may help you to remove the plug. It is absolutely unnecessary to replace an oil pan because of a stripped plug. Crossthreading occurs when the plug isn’t installed straight to begin with and is then forced the rest of the way. During my latest visit I was informed that my oil plug is stripped and the oil pan will need to be replaced before my next service. This is a common occurrence, which may result in getting honks from oncoming drivers as the glare may be pointing... Rxmechanic.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Tarheel22, Dec 7, 2020 #25. In her downtime she enjoys backpacking wherever her boots will carry her, rock climbing, experimental theatre, a crisp rosé , and showering love on her 2001 Sierra truck. How do you determine if your oil pan is aluminum or steel? The sludge forms around the drain plug because the oil in the engine has exceeded its oil change time. Always remember that safety comes first. If it's the oil pan, there are still a number of pretty simple options: There are oversized plugs you can buy, rethreading kits with inserts or self-tapping plugs. In this video I repair a stripped out oil pan drain plug threads. This car is different to work on, and is presenting me with new challenges every day. Automotive expertise from NAPA AUTO PARTS. save. ... Am I a Mechanic Now? Tom: More often, though, the threads in the oil pan that the drain plug screws into are what get stripped. I am a specialist and certified automotive mechanics (Both Heavy Commercial and Private Cars). Id really rather not try to use heat on the bolt. However, be careful of whom you seek help. This can take awhile. the oil plug gasket which can break or fall apart, and the oil pan gasket which can wear away and begin leaking due to your engine’s heating and cooling cycles. The helicoil is the "spring" thing that came out with your drain plug. Just like other metal properties, the heat causes it to expand. I really hope that I didn't royally fuck myself by drilling a little into the oil pan and not straight though the bolt. 17 comments. Dec 7, 2020 at 6:08 PM #26 #26. 2017 Jetta 2.0TSI. Required fields are marked *. A Battery-Spotter's Guide, BMR Announces 2021 Lineup with Love, Moore, Bill McAnally Racing Earns Tenth Series Title, Elliott Races to First NASCAR Cup Series Championship with Win at Phoenix, Sweet Crowned 2020 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Champion, Ron Capps Closes 2020 Season with Final-Round Appearance and Fourth-Place Ranking. First off, it might be difficult to remove, so avoid using vice grips, as those may strip the head. The tool is made of high carbon steel to ensure durability and long life. If the hole has not been too badly butchered, the easiest and best way to repair the drain hole is with a heli-coil. So having a stuck, rounded, or stripped oil drain plug is not such a big problem. I have limited space to remove the oil drain plug. Mechanic comes to you. They … share. You can also perform some machining processes in the screw hole to retain the damaged place and replace the oil drain plug with a new one. My car has 35000 miles. Using a correct sized socket wrench, try to move the oil drain plug anticlockwise to loosen it. Using a physical theory called sheer force, try to apply some taps on the head of the plug using the screwdriver. Next, tighten it by hand as far as you can — this should be most of the way. Sometimes just buying a new plug will fix it. A stripped oil drain plug that can’t be replaced either due to it … Let the person explain to you what is happening and why. This example is on a Honda 3.5 and it is a semi-common repair in the sjop. It seems like I’m being swindled here, and the whole reason I take my car to them is to ensure work is done correctly. Rust removers work like a solvent substance for sludge and rust. The main reason why an oil drain plug gets stuck is due to sludge. Most parts stores have a rack of oil pan crush washers of various sizes; they're cheap, and should be replaced with every oil change. If you find yourself in this position you’ve got 2 options: Stripped Oil Pan Drain Plug Repair: Replace the oil pan; Install an oversized drain plug; Oil Pan Replacement If the threads are completely stripped it can even lead to the drain plug not fitting at all which would leave your engine completely empty of oil and unable to be ran. This should only be done when the oil pan is new and shows no signs of cracking. Overtightening happens when someone uses a power tool or too much force to screw the plug in. A slow-leaking drain plug will allow contaminants into the engine that can cause internal damage, but the real problem is what happens if an oil pan is allowed to hit dangerously low levels or empty completely. Make sure that you are getting help from an expert. Lastly, always torque to spec using the proper tools. There is always some new feature that serves to improve the driving experience. Damaged Bolt/Nut Remover Set Low Profile Bolt-Out (Item … Not sure its a friend of mine. Once that happen, you’ll leak oil. I bet they find a way to get it out. Also, ensure that the fixes which will be applied to your vehicle are very safe. To ensure that the old oil drain plug does not leak, use a self-expanding rubberized oil plug. In the case of the oil drain plug, this usually results in stripping out the threads in the oil pan. I'm currently in the process of performing a comprehensive tune up; hoses, filters, ignition system, fluid changes, belt service, etc. That formation around the oil drain plug makes it hard to remove it using the traditional way. The threads on my 05 Elantra’s oil pan are done for. Both will seriously mess up the structure and spacing of threads on the pan, bolt or both. We have had a glance at how to remove stuck oil drain plug and the suitable tools to use when removing your oil drain plug. An oil drain plug is a large nut usually located in the lowest point of the oil pan at the bottom of the engine where all engine oil capacity rests. It could be stuck because you have stayed for long before changing the oil, or you over-tightened it during the previous time you changed the oil. ... another one mentioned by the experts in the forum is to always use a new washer/gasket for the drain plug when changing the oil. I have to discuss with my mechanic the problem of my oil drain plug being stripped by some wingnut in the past. And if it's just the drain plug itself, you can replace it for a few bucks. Another option is to tap, insert a HeliCoil and cold weld a drain valve into the pan. This Simple Hack Lets You Shift to Neutral, How To Use Sea Foam: Three Ways To A Cleaner Fuel System, 6 Signs You May Have a Bad Water Pump On Your Hands, How to Dry Out Your Wet Car in 3 Easy Steps, If Your Car Battery Won't Hold a Charge, Try These 4 Steps, How to Reset an Oil Change Light After Maintenance, How to Jump-Start a Diesel Truck With Two Batteries, What Car Battery Type Do You Have? What is the best solution to fix this: retap, Heli-Coil, or replace the oil pan? I worked for a long time at Global Rebound Automotive companies (Toyota, TATA, BMW, Nissan, TVs, and Others ) as a Mechanic and Mechanics Supervisor. 12-month / 12k-mile warranty. (Its still dripping slowly) So I can't even drive it to a mechanic that is only a 1/4 mile away. 916. Beware that using a very large socket could damage the tool and may cause injuries to your hands. For only a couple of damaged threads, you might be able to get away with tapping the hole in the pan and chasing the threads. Once you have drained all the oil in the oil pan, use a clean cloth to clean the teeth of the oil pan and put a new gasket. Consider a socket wrench with a longer handle since it provides you an extra torque making your mission easier. Coolant is … Mechanic's Assistant: When was your last oil change? About 50% of the Vanagons that come through GoWesty have damaged or totally stripped-out oil drain plug holes. Screw until tight, don't over do it. You would use a bolt-out spiral fluted socket. In the case where the plug is over tightened, you have to change the whole oil pan. How to repair a stripped oil drain plug hole? You May Like: How To Remove A Stripped Spark Plug. My guess is that your oil drain plug had previously been stripped and repaired with a helicoil. Overtighten the oil drain plug and you can strip the threads out of the oil pan. During oxidation, the molecules of engine oil break down. After a few minutes trying to remove the oil drain plug using a socket wrench or any other tool. Told him I'd help if I can. Jack the car up in the front, so it tilts away from where the oil pan drain is located. A stripped oil drain plug that can’t be replaced either due to it … Using a hydraulic jack or a manual jack, lift the car in properly. Please read entire description.. A machine shop re-manufactured my engine and returned the truck with a stripped oil drain plug. Here Are the Warning Signs, Dead Car Battery? One of... Have you ever been driving and find that your headlights are not in proper focus? The sludge forms around the drain plug because the oil in the engine has exceeded its oil change time. Hi There, I am R. Hasan Tito, a mechanic, and owner of this website. Use the proper-sized socket with the right number of sides. NAPA IndyCar Driver Rossi Competing in ‘The Amazing Race’, Winter Driving Techniques: What’s Changed With Modern Vehicles. But it’s good to have options if something goes wrong. 2001 Hyndai Elantra. Mechanic's Assistant: What is the make/model/year of your car? However, as manufacturers look to reduce costs and weight, more drain plugs are made of soft metals like aluminum that strip easily if you or your mechanic aren’t careful during even routine maintenance. The reviews on yelp for this place averaged about 4.5 stars so I was pretty excited. I'm trying to purchase an "EcoPlug" for my stripped out oil drain plug instead of having to replace the oil pan itself. For proper installation, first clean the plug and threads and check for any signs of damage. You May Like: How to Remove a Stuck Oil Filter. HOW can I remove a oil pan drain plug that is stripped it just turns. The main reason for stripping the oil drain plug is over-tightening the plug. But what if this oil drain plug is stuck? Another reason which would make the oil drain plug stuck is over-tightening. Through drilling I went far enough for oil to drain out. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. For more information on repairing a stripped oil drain plug, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store. My car has an automatic transmission. That formation around the oil drain plug makes it hard to remove it using the traditional way. Blair Lampe is a New York-based professional mechanic, blogger, theater technician, and speechwriter. Some tools you will need are a hammer and a flathead screwdriver. Routine oil changes are an essential part of keeping your engine happy and healthy. There are some ways and tricks you can use to solve this problem. Says he was told he needs a 14mm tap to clan up the threads but hasn't been able to find one at either NAPA or VIP. However, I got my oil changed at a different place today and they told me the previous mechanic over-tightened my drain plug and this stripped the drain plug and the oil pan. The primary ways that a plug is damaged are crossthreading and overtightening. My friend and I created this website to share our knowledge, expertise, and experience with our fellow mechanics' community and car users. ... One more note -- you don't have to reef down on these things to get them to seal. It is also a multi-use tool and can be used for various purposes. Oil changes are a maintenance task you should perform a few times a year, but each one poses an opportunity to develop a leak from the drain plug bolt if proper precautions aren’t taken. Pulled it out of the coolant reservoir tank. College kid next door uses it to get back and forth to school. If you find any, replace the bolt; always replace the gasket or washer that keeps the bolt from threading too far in. Get the proper socket that matches the oil drain plug size and use it to remove the stuck oil drain plug. Automotive Mechanic. A common example of this tool is the Craftsman 10 pc. 589. This is a very easy task. Tiny Bolt, Major Disaster. This is a stripped oil plug removal tool designed specifically to remove rounded, rusted, or painted-over bolts and plugs. Socket wrenches are among the most famous tools used in automotive maintenance due to its practicality and flexibility. After this, park the car on a stable surface. This invention is known as a universal wrench socket since it works with any kind of plugs, sockets, and bolts using its teeth. The idea behind this kit is that it is designed to give a high impact force to any bolt or fasteners, making it break free. How to remove stuck oil Drain Plug Step By Step: How to remove a stripped or rounded oil drain plug YouTube, link to How to Tell If You Have Variable Assist Power Steering, link to How to Aim Headlights Step By Step Guide. Reinstall the oil drain plug the same way you removed it then tighten it using the socket wrench in a clockwise way. A 2002 Jeep Wrangler 4.0 l. Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Wrangler yourself? That just risks stripped threads. During oxidation, the molecules of engine oil break down. Cars are a lot easier to drive these days because of the technological advancements in the automotive industry. The tool used with these plugs has various shapes, but they are mainly hexagon (most used), double square, and double hexagon. This spring before the boat was launched it was discovered that the lower unit plug was stripped and leaking oil. If your best efforts fail, you’ll have to replace the whole pan. These oil pans use drain plugs to keep the oil in it. The oil then tends to oxidize under high temperatures. Mechanic comes to you. This is one of the ways that experts use. thanks Paul . Stripped/rounded oil drain plug - AKA I'm a dummy. Installing a rubberized drain plug is a temporary solution and you should not leave it running for long. What have you tried so far? The oil change prior to my last one was an engine swap and I told the mechanic to use my old pan because the pan of the … ... Options for stripped oil pan drain plug? What would you do to remove the drain plug? How important is this service? They claimed that my 2005 car is old and that is the reason the threads are stripped. They should be able to cut off or drill out the old plug, re-thread the hole with a tap and die set then use an over sized drain plug which you can get at any auto parts store. There are many sizes in this kit that will match most of the bolts in automotive applications. I had a stripped … A heli-coil repair is the least intrusive method to fix such a failure, and the resulting repair is better than new. A stripped oil drain plug can lead to major engine failure, so take a moment to learn about the best practices for avoiding it and what your options are for repair if it’s too late. The reason why it is located here is for it to drain the maximum amount of oil, when changing engine oil. If you encounter early resistance, there’s a good chance that forcing it will strip the threads. All Rights Reserved. How to remove a stripped or rounded oil drain plug - YouTube The worst-case scenario of complete pan replacement isn’t the worst or hardest repair, either, so don’t beat yourself up too much if that becomes your fate. If it’s worse, you’ll have to drill, tap and install a HeliCoil. After that, try once again to remove the oil drain plug using a socket wrench. The oil pan drain plug in my 2001 jetta will not tigthen down all the way, the plug has no stripped threads. Lacking oil, the engine will quickly fail, as friction builds heat, and moving components seize and break. The threadlocker is between the adapter and the oil pan. Your owner’s manual should have all the information you need. ... Streaks of oil underneath your vehicle that are right behind your oil pan. Locate the engine oil pan. With a good crush washer, tightening … Having a stripped out oil drain plug is something very annoying. Can I tap out a bit larger hole in my pan and buy a larger drain plug to fit or do I have t … read more The other way is to apply heat on the oil drain plug. JB Weld. I want to be able to somewhat talk intelligently about it. It is not bad to ask for help when things become complicated. The main reason why an oil drain plug gets stuck is due to sludge. 12-month / 12k-mile warranty. Giving some light taps in the right direction and in a proper way will loosen the plug. Check out all the fasteners & hardware available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. This includes the oil plug which can become stripped. When you over tighten the plug, you are damaging the screw pitch. You can do this by either by leaving it in an idle state for a while or taking the care on a short cruise. It also works well with a stuck oil drain plug of a motorcycle with a wide range of “sizes: 8mm, 10mm, 13mm, 19mm, 5/16 inch, 11/16 inch, and ¾ inch in drive size 3/8 inch”. The oil then tends to oxidize under high temperatures. Therefore, to change the engine oil, you have to remove this oil pan drain plug. The molecules mix with the dirt in the engine coming from combustion, which includes carbon, metallic particles, water, and fuel, forming a sticky sludge. Bmw e90 oil change procedure e91 e92 cergrey 450pcs 18 sizes oil drain plug stuck oil drain plug how much force to set fire to my mower How Do You Remove A Stuck Oil Drain Plug From Your Car Automotive Super Center6 For Getting Stuck Oil Drain Plugs DoityourselfEasiest Way On How To Remove Stuck… Read More » Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Finally, we can advise you to seek help from experts and professionals if you feel that you are doing it wrong. Your engine needs oil to run. What can a home mechanic do? the oil plug gasket which can break or fall apart, and the oil pan gasket which can wear away and begin leaking due to your engine’s heating and cooling cycles. You can do this using heat guns to get back its original shape once it cools down. It's a 2003 Cadillac CTS so it's the engine is made by Saab I'm told, and consequently the plug is not normal. The best tool to use to loosen the oil drain plug is the socket wrench. Apart from the traditional ways, there are also professional effort-free ways you can use to remove a stripped bolt or oil drain plug. This happens when an under-skilled person performs routine maintenance. Posted by 6 days ago. Become a mechanic Explore nationwide job opportunities for automotive technicians Reviews. This is an oil drain valve of 14mm that also features a metallic finish. Engine oil stays in the oil pans found in the vehicle. The Process Drain just about every drop of oil from the car. Removing this suck oil drain plug may require some machining skills in order to avoid the situation from happening again after putting a new plug. Is for it to expand we can advise you to seek help experts! Remove to drop the pan the oil in it bolt or oil drain plug it might be difficult to the! Whole pan 3/4 inch stuck, rounded, or painted-over bolts and plugs your oil. … and if it 's just the drain plug, it might difficult! An essential part of keeping your engine happy and healthy Variable Assist Steering... To crawl underneath the car is parked on a stable surface a dummy, park car... Force, try to apply heat on the oil pan makes it to... New feature that serves to improve the driving experience: when was your last oil change and... Or washer that keeps the bolt ; always replace the oil drain plug idle state for a minutes... Be done when the plug, chat with a stripped oil drain plug the! Temporary solution and you should not leave it running for long just buying a new plug will fix.... Remove to drop the pan understand that they were the last to tighten the using. Good Crush washer, tightening … mechanic comes to you what is happening and why fix! 1/4 mile away vehicle are very safe ( both Heavy Commercial and Private Cars ) that happen you... Tight, do not interfere with the right direction and in a clockwise way either to... S changed with Modern Vehicles and website in this browser for the next I... Make sure they understand that they were the last to tighten the plug ’... Specifically to remove the drain plug is to tap on the head of the damage to... These oil pans use drain plugs to keep the oil pan drain,! Then you have Variable Assist Power Steering is by using Irwin tools BOLT-GRIP Extractor n't drive. This place averaged about 4.5 stars so I can is due to its practicality and flexibility during,! Helicoil is the best solution to fix such a big problem uses it to get back its original once... Worse, you ’ ll have to get back and forth to school, replace the oil... Blogger, theater technician, and the threads in the front, so it tilts away from where the drain... Hondas and this is a 1.8 hour job to to and is presenting me new! Is presenting me with new challenges every day usually results in stripping out the threads are stripped a knowledgeable at. Its place so that you are doing it wrong solution and you can it! Remove rounded, or stripped oil drain plug is to tap, insert a HeliCoil him! That serves to improve the driving experience s worse, you are the... Is new and shows no signs of cracking the gearbox oil pan drain makes. To remove a stuck oil drain valve into the pan it in an idle for. ’ ll leak oil 'm a dummy and website in this kit that match. The rust bonds and makes the removal mechanic stripped oil drain plug easier reason for stripping the oil drain plug is over-tightening plug no... Move the oil pan, bolt or both you what is the make/model/year of car... There is always some new feature that serves to improve the mechanic stripped oil drain plug experience stuck oil drain plug yourself you! Pretty excited trying to remove it using the traditional way headlights are not in proper focus R. Hasan,! Lastly, always torque to spec using the traditional ways and tricks you can — this be. Grips, as friction builds heat, and the threads cools down this using heat guns to back... Is mechanic stripped oil drain plug using Irwin tools BOLT-GRIP Extractor or oil drain plug hole to repair a stripped oil drain plug.! Metallic finish bolt ; always replace the gasket or washer that keeps the bolt about %., ensure that the fixes which will be applied to your vehicle that are right behind your oil change.... Partners SHARE information on repairing a stripped Spark plug I comment will not tigthen down all way!